This week’s devotions are based on Week 1 of Cross Examined: Can We Stay? (LISTEN HERE)
The view was breathtaking. Standing at the edge of the south rim of the Grand Canyon, it was hard to take it all in and notice all the details. With the passing of the day to sunset the shadows and lighting made the scenery change moment by moment. It was hard to leave.
“Just one more ride.” A day a Disney world was so fun, but as the park was closing no one wanted to leave. It was too much fun.
“I can’t believe they are gone.” Standing at the graveside of a loved one who passed quickly and unexpectedly leaves loved ones lingering and not wanting to leave, knowing saying “Good-bye” is tough.
Certain moments in life make it hard to move on. Some of those moments are exciting and enjoyable and other moments are trying to hang on to a passing reality, uncertain of what the future brings.
Peter was trying to take in the moment.
He and James and John had gone with Jesus up a mountainside to pray. They were sleeping and perhaps dozing off (sound familiar?). Yet they were awakened from their drowsiness with the vision of amazing brilliance around Jesus and the persons of Moses and Elijah (whom they seem to recognize without ever meeting them!). Perhaps still a bit groggy, Peter says, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (Luke 9:33)
He wanted to stay. He wanted Moses and Elijah and Jesus to stay. He wanted the moment of amazing glory to linger indefinitely.
Who wouldn’t?
Who wouldn’t want to be in the presence of the Lord and his two most well known witnesses, Moses and Elijah?
Questions could be asked. Stories could be told. Insights could be gained.
Can we stay?
Perhaps one could argue that Peter had a point. It would be nice to hear more from Moses and Elijah and their testimony about Jesus. It would be nice to have recorded for all ages which words they wrote hundreds of years earlier were specific about Jesus and his life and ministry. And wouldn’t it be cool to invite your friends to come up the mountain with you and visit the “homes” of Moses and Elijah and Jesus.
Can we stay?
The moment was amazing. The moment was brilliant.
The moment had a purpose, but the moment wasn’t going to last.
Jesus wanted his disciples to experience the moment because he knew what was coming.
In some ways, Jesus probably from a human standpoint would have loved to stay in this moment and not moved on. But he knew he had to.
Luke 9:30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31 appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.
The moment was impactful, but moving on would be important.
The moment was significant, but moving on was necessary for our salvation.
The moment was brilliant, but moving on brought the greatest blessing.
Can we stay? Sure. For the moment. But sometimes the greater vision of God’s glory comes as we move on to see the full glory of his grace.
Apply: What situation have you not wanted to move on from? When you did, what blessing did you experience afterwards because you experienced the moment AND moved on?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for a wonderful moment at your transfiguration and the ability to “see” it through the words of your Bible. As we linger in the moment, help us also to move on to experience and share the fullness of your grace and plan of salvation. AMEN.